DAVID Brooks says he “jumped at the chance” to join Southampton on loan, after struggling for regular game-time at Cherries this season.
While he had been part of every matchday squad for Cherries across all competitions this term, Brooks has been limited to just two Premier League starts under Andoni Iraola.
In total, the Wales international has made 18 appearances, totalling 549 minutes, in which he has scored three goals and provided three assists.
But Brooks has now opted to make the step down into the Championship to try and help Saints clinch promotion, a wish Cherries reluctantly granted.
Brooks, who joined Cherries from Sheffield United in 2018, missed around 18 months of action after being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in October 2021, before being declared cancer-free and getting back to fitness to return to competitive action in March 2023.
Discussing his decision to move along the south coast, Brooks told Saints’ club media: “I’m really happy.
“With the past couple of years of my situation, it’s just to come here and get some game-time. I’m really looking forward to it and can’t wait to get started.
“That’s why I’ve made the decision to come away from Bournemouth.
“The game-time was a little bit limited there and this present moment in time, so I was very eager to get to a point where I wanted to play regular minutes.
“This opportunity came up and it was one I couldn’t really turn down.
“As soon as I knew they were interested, I was very interested in coming.”
Brooks added: “Over the past couple of years it’s been quite a tough ride and a long journey to try and get back to first-team football.
“As soon as I got back in, I wanted to play as many minutes as possible.
“They were a little bit limited at Bournemouth and as soon as this opportunity came up to try and get regular minutes, I jumped at the chance.
“It’s been a long road to get back. I’ve done a lot of training to get to a point where I can play games.
“That’s the main aim now, to get on the pitch and do it in front of the crowds and in the stadiums. The more games the better, and hopefully I can be a part of all of them.
“I’ve not come here literally just to get minutes. I want to get a promotion. Hopefully a winner’s medal and help the boys get back into the Premier League.”
There are some familiar faces in the Saints squad for Brooks.
Joe Rothwell completed a loan switch from Cherries earlier in this transfer window, while captain Jack Stephens spent last campaign on loan at Cherries. Striker Che Adams also used to play alongside Brooks, during the pair’s time at Sheffield United,
Asked if he had gauged any opinion from them ahead of the move, Brooks said: “It was mainly Joe when he first moved here, to see if he liked it, to see if I wanted to come as well!
“He obviously gave glowing reports. Then I spoke to Jack Stephens a little bit as well and he told me what it was like. It was something I wanted to be a part of.”
Saints have been linked with a move for Brooks for most of this month, director of football Jason Wilcox going on to label him their top target.
“It’s been a little while,” explained Brooks, when asked about the move.
“I found out the interest a while back, but I was in and out and getting minutes at Bournemouth and didn’t really know what the situation was.
“But after a few conversations with people at that end, this was the best option and best way to move forward for both parties.”
Brooks could make his Saints debut away at Rotherham United on Saturday.
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